Black Bear Film Festival Mini-Guide
Main stage films and related events take place at the Milford Theater and SkyTent, Milford, PA October 14-16.
Main Stage
Friday, October 14 - 6 pm to 10 pm
Gala (St. Patrick’s Hall) and Opening Night Film (Milford Theatre)
Mommy’s Box - drama
available only with Gala or Gold Pass
A 30-year-old man denying his past is forced to confront the lingering influence of his mother after her death in this touching indie drama with comedic and musical elements. A sweet, must-see award-winning film fresh from the Toronto, Tribeca and Soho Film Festivals.
Scheduled to appear for Q&A:Writer/director/star Johnny Greenlaw,actorBill Sorvino actress Gina Scarda, and songwriter/composer Paulo Coelho(songwriter and composer).
Saturday, October 15 - 10 am
Dear President Obama, The Clean Energy Revolution Is Now– environmental documentary
An incisive documentary narrated by acclaimed actor and activist Mark Ruffalo that journeys through more than 20 states to examine the impact of oil and gas drilling on our land and water. With climate change and drilling still hotly contested subjects, this film sheds new light on a critical topic.
Scheduled to appear for Q&A: Director Jon Bowermaster
Saturday, October 15 - 12 pm
Little Men - drama
A charming drama that follows a pair of 13-year-old boys fighting to preserve a friendship torn apart by a bad family business deal, the film appeals to all ages and features standout performances by Greg Kinnear and its two young stars.
Saturday, October 15 - 2 pm
Vince Giordano—There’s a Future in the Past – documentary/drama
Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks have brought the past to life for 40 years by playing live jazz-age music and supplying period soundtracks for The Cotton Club, Boardwalk Empire, Woody Allen films, and countless others. Between the moments of glory onstage, there are meltdowns, constant struggles to find gigs, and the threat of going out of business. Fantastic jazz and Mr. Giordano’s incredible talent and passion make this inspiring film a true winner.
Saturday, October 15 - 4 p.m.
That Championship Season - drama
A unique opportunity to enjoy this classic powerful drama based on the Pulitzer Prize winning play accompanied insider stories from executive producer Bob Levine about the film, working with the star-studded cast, and the challenges and mistrials of adapting a Pulitzer play into a movie, fond memories of filming in Scranton, and lots more.
Scheduled to appear for Q&A: Executive producer Bob Levine.
Saturday, October 15 - 6:30 p.m.
Inside Hollywood with Rex Reed – live interview
75 minutes
Rex Reed, one of the most renowned film critics in American history, will be sharing his personal anecdotes and observations about life as a film critic, amusing and revealing Hollywood stories, and tales of his early days as a Hollywood journalist covering celebrities in this exclusive one-on-one interview with Hollywood historian and author John DiLeo.
Saturday, October 15 - 8 pm
Indignation- drama
The critically acclaimed film adaption of the Philip Roth novel about a young Jewish man at odds with the morals of his Christian college in 1950s Ohio and experiencing a sexual awakening with an elegant and wealthy young woman. The film premiered at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.
Saturday, October 15 - 10 pm
54 – The Director’s Cut - drama/NR
- For Mature Audiences
A Director’s Cut is an edited version of a movie that has not been altered by a studio and over which its director has complete artistic control.This screening and interactive presentation with director Mark Christopher will provide a fascinating and rare peek inside Hollywood with a screening of the new “director’s cut” version of “54”, a sexy drama about the glittery excesses of Studio 54, the world’s hottest disco in the 1970s.
Scheduled to appear for Q&A with moderator John DiLeo: Director Mark Christopher
Sunday, October 16 - 11:30 am
What It Takes to Be Extraordinary - documentary
What It Takes to Be Extraordinary shares the story of one inspirational man who is selflessly dedicating his life to educate, empower and care for impoverished children throughout Nepal. The film also unfolds in loving detail the many stories of this extraordinary “family” of over 140 children who are the future of Nepal. With freedom and a chance to dream… leaders are
Scheduled to appear for Q&A: Director Toni Thompson, Holley Chant, Tamara Chant
Sunday, October 16 - 1 pm
Bill Cunningham New York
- fashion documentary
A loving and sometimes humorous profile of the noted and extraordinarily cheerful veteran New York fashion photographer Bill Cunningham, who died earlier this year. Mr. Cunningham was an incurable and eccentric chronicler of fashion, tirelessly snapping photos of and writing about interestingly attired celebrities and ordinary New Yorkers.
Sunday, October 16 - 3 pm
Celebrating Women Filmmakers
– panel discussion and film
They name hurricanes, storms, and awards after them. Now the women are coming to Milford as Black Bear celebrates women in film with a screening of She’s Nobody’s Baby and a panel scheduled to include executive producer Suzanne Braun Levine, actress/screenwriter Mandy Bruno, screenwriter Amy Ferris, production designer Karen Gropman, costume designer Ingrid Price, screenwriter/producer Judy White, and moderator Carol Needleman.
Sunday, October 16 - 5:15 pm
Bear With Us – comedy
A modern farce about a neurotic guy who attempts to propose to his girlfriend in the most romantic way possible. His plan starts to fall apart when a ravenous bear stumbles upon their charming cabin in the woods in this fast-paced, genre-bending, ensemble comedy filmed primarily in Dingmans Ferry, PA.
Film Salon
Short films and their filmmakers are scheduled Saturday and Sunday of Festival Weekend at the Black Bear Film Salon at the Pike County Public Library in Milford.
SALON PROGRAM
Milford Public Library
119 E. Harford Street
Milford, PA
Saturday, October 15, 11 am to 12:30 pm
THE ART OF THE SHORT FILM
Celebrate the excitement and fun of the short film in this exciting Salon, including a panel discussion with representatives from Have You Seen Calvin?, Elevation, and Tokyo Story. Short films can push the boundaries of filmmaking, narrative, and story-telling techniques. The format lends itself to experimental designs, quirky stories, and unusual points of view that may be more difficult to pull off in feature-length films. To honor the format, the Salon presents six contemporary shorts.
When the Family Came to Dinner (2016) Written and directed by Ethan Cadoff. A young man finds himself at a family function, under unusual circumstances in this animated short. 2 minutes.
Bacon & God’s Wrath(2015)Directed by Sol Friedman. This documentary film mixes animation with live action interview footage, and centers Razie Brownstone, a 90-year-old Jewish woman who, after undergoing a crisis of faith which has led her to reject many of the tenets of her religion, is preparing to cook and eat bacon for the first time in her life. 8 minutes.
Have You Seen Calvin? (2016) Written and directed by Andrew Lawton. This movie celebrates the The Davis’, a 1950's All-American family with a very naughty secret. It’s Leave it to Beaver meets Pulp Fiction in this edgy comedy. 18 minutes.
Tokyo Story (2014) Directed and produced by Edward Levinson. This “pinhole” movie shows Tokyo as seen through the eyes of a country home, and is homage to Ozu Yasujiro’s 1953 film, Tokyo Story. 12 minutes, 15 seconds.
Elevation(2016) Directed by Brandon Bloch. This dance film was choreographed specifically to demonstrate the interplay between human movement and architecture. Arresting and provocative imagery and music. 4 minutes, 28 seconds.
Twinsburg(2016) Directed by Joe Garrity, Produced by Kyle Parker. Jerry, sentimental about his fading twin identity, reunites with his reluctant brother Paul for a weekend of revelry at the world’s largest congregation of twins. 16 minutes.
1 pm – 1:45 pm
THE HOLLYWOOD MUSICAL
For more than a dozen consecutive years, film critic/historian John DiLeo (author of six books about classic movies) has brought his popular film-clips presentations to BBFF's Salon. This year's program explores the Hollywood musical, highlighting clips from both rare and best-loved movies. John is the author of five books, including And You Thought You Knew Classic Movies, 100 Great Film Performances You Should Remember but Probably Don’t, Screen Savers: 40 Remarkable Movies Awaiting Rediscovery, Tennessee Williams and Company: His Essential Screen Actors, and Screen Savers II: My Grab Bag of Classic Movies.
2 pm to 3:30 pm
“WATCH LOCAL”
Pike and Wayne Counties have long been home to artists, including performers, painters, writers, and of course, filmmakers. We celebrate this long history of creativity in the region with three films by local residents. Alan and Wendy Kaplan, Dennis Lee, and WNEP reporter Jon Meyer will be on hand for a Q & A after the screenings.
Fragile Beauty (2016)Directed by Alan Kaplan, hosted and narrated by Wendy Stuart Kaplan. During a trip to the remote Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia Alan and Wendy Kaplan discovered a culture of tribal people who live, dress, and adorn themselves as they have for centuries. Yet, are they really that different from us after all? Join the filmmakers as they discover the fashion, body painting, piercings,and traditional lifestyle of these indigenous people, and learn about the challenges of living in a developing world as they attempt to sustain their threatened culture.
Shohola: Along the River (2014) Directed by Dennis Lee. This historical documentary focuses on the fascinating history behind the founding and growthof Shohola Township, as well as some of the major events that have occurred in the area.
4 pm – 5 pm
STUDENT FILM SHOWCASE
BBFF is proud and excited to present recent films by area students, many of whom will become part of the future of filmmaking and film history! We salute their creativity and hard work. Meet the filmmakers after the screening.
A Step Away: Kerri McAneny (Wallenpaupack Area High School). A young person learns a new perspective.
Quality Time is Family Time: Josh Sedora (Wallenpaupack Area High School, Hawley, PA). The title says it all.
Do Your Best: Walter Wilson (Wallenpaupack Area High School, Hawley, PA). A student changes attitude.
The Cheerio: Tim Nagle (Pope John High School, Sparta, New Jersey). What happens when you find cereal in a parking lot? Find out in this satire.
Strife: Robert Marciano (Sussex County Community College, Newton, NJ). A struggling artist deals with color blindness.
Connect: Christopher Erdman (Union High School, Union, NJ). A boy and a girl run into each other after a complicated break-up in this drama.
Patience: Sadie Price-Elliot (Sussex County Technical School, Newton, NJ). A strong relationship between sisters is tested in this autobiographical narrative.
Methods: Madison Rambowski (Sussex County Technical School, Hamburg, NJ). A performer learns about Method Acting.
He Took the B Train: Stephanie Okun (Riverdale Country School, Bronx, New York). This is a story of missed opportunity, regrets, and unrequited teenage love.
5:30 pm to 6:15 pm
HIP-HOP GOES TO THE ANIMATION LAB
This segment explores the process of animation, music, production, and video. It features Matt Cassero-animated videos from the That’s Hip-Hop LP Joell Ortiz single, "Kill at Will" featuring Joell Ortiz, Token, and Big Daddy Kane, and its sequel, "Kill at Will the Final Chapter," which features Joell Ortiz, Token, Chris Rivers, Big Daddy Kane, and Snow the Product. A short animated film from the Generation Next LP Run-Girl, produced by Hip-Hop legend Domingo, with Chris Rivers featuring Dyce Payne will also be shown. Added bonus: you’ll see the animated version of Will Voelkel, BBFF’s esteemed executive director, get killed in a most unpleasant manner by various Hip-Hop legends. Producer Domingo and animator Matt Cassero will be on hand to discuss the process of animation after the screenings. Please be advised that these videos contain both graphic language and imagery. Viewer discretion advised.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16
11 am to 12 pm
FARMERS MARKETS: THE SOUL OF STRONG COMMUNITIES
Haymarket: The Soul of the City (2015) Directed by Justin H. Goodstein.
Boston’s Haymarket has served a constant stream of longtime residents, newly arrived immigrants, students, and tourists since the first half of the nineteenth century. “Each Friday morning on my way to work,” says director Goodstein,“Haymarket materialized out of thin air; come Saturday evening, it vanished. Year-round, like clockwork, the produce stands set up, voices arose from the weathered streets, and customers suddenly appeared…I observed a cultural melting pot, a community interacting: buying and selling, yelling and bargaining. Haymarket…must continue to survive, progress, and evolve—to serve the community.” Justin Goodstein and David Wallace, a director of the Milford Farmers Market, will also be on hand to talk about the importance of community markets.
12 pm to 1 pm
SO YOU WANT TO BE IN PICTURES? THE WORLD OF FILM & TV CASTING
Barbara McNamara, President of Barbara McNamara Casting, talks about the ins and outs of casting a show, including what she looks for in actors when filling specific roles both for “background” and principal parts. Barbara cast background and principle players for a variety of television and film projects, including HBO’S Sex and the City, NBC’s 30 Rock, The Devil Wears Prada, We Made this Movie, The Making of the Mob, and NASCAR The Rise of American Speed. To kick-off this wide-ranging discussion we present the short film, The Seven Men of Hanukkah, a romantic comedy that involves acting and casting calls is about a man who has recently experienced a major loss and then embarks on the most peculiar audition he’s ever had. The lead characters are the kind of people who usually play the best friend, and in this case, they are pushed to center stage. Writer Sharon Cooper and director Daryl Lathon will join in the “casting call” conversation after the screening.
1:15 pm to 2 pm
THE BIRTH OF CONSERVATION IN AMERICA, America’s First Forest: Carl Schenck and the Asheville Experimentis produced by the ForestHistory Society in cooperation with Bonesteel Films. The film tells the story of how CarlSchenck realizedFrederick Law Olmsted’s vision of introducing forestryto America. It was onGeorge Vanderbilt’smagnificent Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina that a 120,000-acre forest becameAmerica’s first scientifically managed forest. The nation’s first forestryschool was also founded here, along with the call for creating national forests in the US. James G. Lewis, PhD of the Forest History Society, and an historian and editor of Forest History Today, will be on hand to discuss the film and the history of forestry.
2:30pm to 4pm
A CHANGE IN THE CLIMATE
Climate change effects much more than weather patterns, pollution, and temperatures: our worlds and daily lives may change, and in unexpected ways. This Salon presents two new films that address the changing climate in unique ways. And Then The Climate Changed, directed by John Felix and produced by Elizabeth Haase,chronicles two mothers who seek ways to prepare their children psychologically for climate change. Beyond Crisis, produced and directed by Kai Reimer-Watts, looks at solutions for positive environmental change available right now, from all corners of society, to build a sustainable, climate-safe future.
4:30 pm to 6 pm
SUGAR SHAKE DOWN
A September 2016 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) revealed that starting in the 1960s the sugar industry launched a campaign that paid nutrition researchers to downplay evidence linking America’s rising sugar consumption to heart disease. Since that time, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases have been on the rise, and not coincidentally, sugar is an insidious part of many more foods than in the past. Sugar Blues (2014) directed by Andrea Culková, is a timely look at how the sugar industry has been promoting false messages about sugar while demonizing foods like dietary fat, which most scientists now agree does not lead to obesity and diabetes – but sugar does! After the director is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, fear for her unborn baby drives her to change her family’s eating habits and motivates her to investigate the sugar industry. Andrea explores the influence of sugar on human physical and mental functions in this tragicomic, vibrant, and gripping film will have you on the edge of your seat…and it can help set you free from sugar addiction.
1